Thailand: Carrying "supernatural dolls" is rising trend among Thai women

A craze for 'Child Angel' dolls has taken hold in Thailand, with Bangkok locals hitting markets in search of the spiritual play things. The "Luk Thep" dolls are believed to hold special powers with many reportedly being blessed by Buddhist monks as grown men and women buy up the eerie effigies in a bid to bring good luck.
Treated like real children, the dolls accompany their owners around town, go to the shops and even get their hair cut. The child effigies are even taken on plane trips by their owners, with airlines selling tickets for the 'child angels' and restaurants also announcing doll-friendly policies. However, Thailand's Civil Aviation authority has just ruled to stop the sale of plane tickets for the toys over concerns that they may be used to smuggle drugs.
Concerns have also been raised by the National Office of Buddhism, which is looking into reports that monks have performed rituals to imbue the dolls with good fortune. The link between the dolls and Buddhist rituals has been criticised by believers who consider such practises to contravene monastic codes of conduct.